A General Martyrology, Chapter 31
CHAP. XXXI. The Persecutions of the Church in the Low-Countries,
IN Holland there was a grave widow called Wendelmuta, to whom it pleased God to reveal his truth, and she became a zealous Professour of it, for which she was apprehended and cast into prison, and afterwards brought forth at the Sessions, where many Monks perswaded her to recant, but could not prevail. Many also of her kindred and other women were suffered to perswade with her, amongst which was a noble Matron, who coming to her, said, My Wendelmuta, Why dost thou not keep those things which thou believest secret in thy heart, Tentation.that thou mayest prolong thy life? To whom she answered, Truly you know not what you say; for with the heart man beleeves to righteousnesse, but with the tongue confession is made to salvation. Then was she condemned to be burnt to ashes, and her goods to be confiscated, which sentence she took patiently and quietly.
At the place of her execution a Monk brought her a Crosse, and bade her to kisse and worship her God, to whom she said,Ignorance. I worship no woodden God, but only that God which is in heaven; and so with a merry and joyful countenance she went to the stake, desiring the Executioner to knock it in fast that it might not fall; Being bound to it, she ardently commended her soul into the hands of God; when she was to be strangled she modestly closed her eyes, and bowed down her head as one that went to sleep; after which she was burned to ashes.Her Martyrdome.
Anno 1529. There were two godly and learned men apprehended in Colen, and cast into prison, where they were kept a year and an half, and the sweating sicknesse raging exceedingly at that time in Germany, the Popish Clergy preached that the way to pacifie Gods wrath,Popish malice. and to remove the plague, was to cut off Hereticks,Two godly men burnt. whereupon these two godly men were brought out, and condemned, and presently after burned.
Also one Nicholas, a godly man, was apprehended at Antwerp, bound up in a sack, cast into the river and drowned.Nicholas drowned.
Also Pistorius, a learned and godly Preacher, coming from Wittenburg into Holland, preached against the Masse, Popish pardons,Pistorius. &c. Whereupon he was cast into prison amongst. Malefactors, whom he instructed, and much comforted in their distressed condition; and one of them being half naked, he gave him his gown;Charity. His father visiting him in prison, encouraged him to constancy: At last he was condemned and carried forth to execution with a fools coat on his back; when he was tied to the stake, he said, O death, where is thy victory? His Martyrdome.and so he was first strangled, and then burned.
Another for speaking against the Masse and Reliques, was hanged in Suevia.One hanged.
Another godly Minister being commanded to go to sixteen men that were to be beheaded, to counsel and comfort them at their death: when they were executed, was himself bidden to kneel down,A Minister beheaded. and so they cut off his head.
Also George Scherter, a godly Minister, that took great pains in instructing his people in the knowledge of the Gospel in a town near Salizburg, was apprehended and cast into prison,George Scherter. where he wrote a Confession of his faith, and afterwards was condemned, first to be beheaded, and then burned. As he went to the execution he said to the Spectators, That you may know that I die a true Christian, A Miracle.I will give you a signe: and accordingly when his head had been cut off, so long as whilst a man might eat an egge, his body all the while lying upon the belly, it turned it self upon the back, crossing the right foot over the left, and the right hand over the left: by which miracle many were induced to believe the Gospel.
Another godly man was burned at Dornick.
Ministers Martyrs.Anno 1539. A godly minister not far from Basil, was murthered in his own house by a Popish Priest, whom he had kindly entertained; many other Ministers about that time, were, some drowned, some beheaded.
Anno 1543. Notice was taken that there were divers godly persons in Lovain, whereupon an Inquisitor came from Bruxels thither, and having gotten a company of souldiers,Popish cruelty in the night time he brake into their houses, plucking men and women out of their beds from their children, and casting them into prison: Thither the Doctors of Lovain came, thinking either to convert them or confound them; but the spirit of God assisting his Saints,Vincit …eritas. the doctors went away confounded themselves: Then did they cruelly torment every one of them by themselves; amongst these an aged Minister of about sixty years old was condemned to perpetual imprisonment in a dark and stinking dungeon, where he could neither read nor write, nor might any man come to him, and he was fed onelyonly with bread and water.
Two were burnt alive in the fire; an aged man was beheaded: Two aged women were buried quick: others for refusing to do pennance, were burned also; All which took their death very patiently and cheerfully.
The year after in the same University of Lovain, was one Master Persival, Mr. Persival.a very learned and godly man, cast into prison, and because he could by no means be brought to recant, he was adjudged to perpetual imprisonment,Cruelty. and there to be fed only with bread and water: neither would they suffer the Citizens to send any relief to him: shortly after he was made away in prison.
Also one Justus Insberg in the same city, for having a New Testament and some of Luthers Sermons found in his house,Justus Insberg. was cast into prison, and command given that none should speak with him. At the same time there were prisoners, in a room under him, Aegidius and Encenas metioned before,A special providence. whose door being left open accidentally, they went to this poor man▪ and much confirmed and strengthned him in the faith, insomuch as when the Lovain Doctors came to perswade him to recant, he before them all made a bold confession of his faith, from which he would not be disswaded, whereupon he was condemned and beheaded.
About the same time there was one Giles Tilleman, a Cutler at Bruxels, Giles Tilleman. Conversion.who by diligent reading of the Scriptures, through Gods grace, was converted, and became very zealous for the truth; he was also very humble, mild, and merciful; whatsoever he could spare from his own necessity,Charity. he gave it to the poor, living by his trade himself; Some he refreshed with meat, others with cloathing; to others he gave shooes, to others houshold-stuffe; to others he ministred godly exhortations for their edification. One poor woman being delivered of a child, and wanting a bed to lye on, he sent her his bed; and himself was content to lie on the straw; At last he was discovered and cast into prison; where much pains was taken to bring him back to Popery,Constancy. but alwayes his adversaries went away with shame; After eight months imprisonment he was sent to Bruxels to be judged, in which place he comforted many that he found in prison there, exhorting them to constancy that they might attain the Crown; Most of his food he divided amongst them, contenting himself with some few scraps: He was so ardent in Prayer, kneeling by himself in some secret place, that often he forgat himself;Earnest Prayer and being many times called to his meat, he neither heard, nor saw them that stood by him till he was lifted up by the armes.
Divers Friars coming to reduce him, he would still request them to go their wayes, for he was at a point; and when they reviled him,Meekn…sse. he would not answer them again, insomuch as they reported abroad that he had a dumb Devil in him. But when they spake of matters of Religion, he answered them freely, mightily confuting them by the Scriptures; Often he might have escaped, the prison doors being set open, but he would not, that he might not bring his Keeper into trouble;F…ght refused▪ Afterwards he was removed to another prison, where they sought by torments to enforce him to recant: and when all would not prevail, he was condemned to the fire; which when he heard of, he gave hearty thanks to God for that the hour was come wherein he might glorifie his name. Seeing a great pile of wood prepared for his burning,Constancy. he desired that most of it might be taken away and given to the poor;Note. for a little, said he, will serve to burn me: and seeing a poor man by that lacked shoos, he gave him his: Being tied to the stake the hangman would have strangled him, but he refused, saying, It needs not, I fear not the fire, His Martyrdome.and so in the midst of the flames he gave up the Ghost.
Anno 1543. and 1544. There was a great persecution all over Flanders, A great persecution.so that there was neither town nor City in all the Countrey, wherein some were not banished, beheaded, or condemned to perpetual imprisonment: neither was there any respect either of age or sex: But especially at Gaunt, many of the chief men were burned for Religion.
Also at the Emperours going to Bruxels, there was a terrible persecution and slaughter made of Gods People in Brabant, Artois, &c. so that two hundred men and women were apprehended at one time, whereof some were drowned, some buried quick, some privily made away: others sent to perpetual prison; yea so many others were put to death, that the hands of the hangman were tired with slaying of men.
Anno 1545. There was one Martin, at Gaunt, a Fishmonger,Martin converted in his old age. who lived very dissolutely to his old age; but it pleased God by a Sermon that he heard, to bring him to the knowledge of the truth and to repentance for his former sins, whereupon he left Gaunt, and sought out the company of godly Christians, who used much reading of the Scriptures, by whom he was further instructed and grounded in the truth; Then after three moneths he returned to the City again, where he visited the Captives in prison, comforted them in persecution, and confirmed them in the truth which were led to the fire.
The Friars seeing this, though formerly he had been very bountiful to them, yet now they conspired against him, whereby he was laid in bands, and by sharp and cruel torments they would have enforced him to recant, but not prevailing, he was condemned, and his goods confiscated; as he stood at the stake,He is condemned. a Friar said to him, Martin, except thou dost turn, thou shalt go from this temporal to everlasting fire, to whom he answered, It is not for you to judge me;His Martyrdome. and so he quietly slept in the Lord.
The next day after two other men were burned, and a woman buried alive for the same cause, who joyfully and cheerfully suffered Martyrdome.
At Delden two Virgins of a noble stock, who frequently and diligently attended Sermons,Two godly Virgins. being apprehended and examined, couragiously confessed and maintained the truth, whereupon they were condemned, and the younger was first burned; In the fire she prayed so ardently for her enemies,Burnt. that the Judges greatly marvelled at it; Then did they exhort the elder, that if she would not recant, yet at least that she would petition to have her punishment changed into beheading instead of burning, whereupon she answered, that she held no errour of which she had cause to repent,Constancy and courage. but the truth which was consonant to the Scriptures, in which she trusted to persevere unto the end: And for the kind of her punishment she feared not the fire, but would rather follow the example of her dear sister, and so being put into the fire she quietly slept in the Lord. But this was marvellous, that after their death, the bodies of them both remained white,A Miracle. and unhurt by the fire, whereupon some Christians privily in the night buried them.
Anno Christi, 1545. There was in Mechlin one Andrew Thiessen, who had three sonnes and a daughter,Andrew Thiessen. whom he carefully brought up in the knowledge of the truth; after which he went into England, and there died; Two of his sonnes went into Germany to study there, and after a time returned home again, instructing their mother, brother, and sister in the right knowledge of Christ, which being taken notice of, they were all carried before the Magistrate, and exhorted to returne to the Church of Rome again; The younger brother and sister, being not so throughly grounded in the truth by reason of their yeares, yielded something and so were sent home again: the mother, who remained constant,Constancy. was adjudged to perpetual imprisonment: the two elder brethren defended the truth stoutly against the Friars; Disputation not prevailing,Popish cruelty they proceeded to torments, endeavouring to know of them who was their Master, and what fellows they had? they answered that their Master was Christ, who bare his Crosse before them; and for fellows they had innumerable, dispersed in all places. At last they were condemned to the fire; and at the place of execution, they began to exhort the people, whereupon bals were put into their mouths; which through vehemency in desiring to speak, they thrust out again, intreating them for the Lords sake that they might have leave to speak; and so singing with a loud voice, they were fastened to the stake, where they prayed for their Persecutors, exhorted one another,Joy and comfort at death. and endured the fire patiently: One of them feeling the violence of the flame, said, O what a small pain is this compared with the glory to come! and so, committing their spirits into the hands of God, they finished their race.
Anno 1545. There was a great persecution in Dornick; and amongst others there was one Adrian Tailor and his Wife apprehended,Adrian Tailor and his wife. and upon their examination, the man being somewhat timorous, relented something, and so was beheaded: but the woman, being more constant was put into an iron grate and so buried alive.
There was also one Master Peter Bruly about the same time, sometimes a Preacher in Strasburg, Master Peter Bruly.but now at the request of the faithful in Dornick, a diligent Preacher there; He used to preach in houses, the door standing open; the Magistrate hearing of it, laid wait for him, shutting up the City gates, and searching three days for him; but the brethren in the night time let him down in a basket over the wall▪ and when he was down, one of them leaning over the wall to bid him farewel, unawares threw down a loose stone, which falling upon his leg, brake it in pieces; He complaining of his hurt, the watchmen heard him and apprehended him.A special Providence. Then did he give thanks to Almighty God, who by that providence staid him there to bear witnesse to his truth: whilst he was in prison, he ceased not to instruct and confirm all them that came to him in the Word of grace: after four moneths imprisonment he was condemned to be burnt, and his ashes to be cast into the river;Popish malice and cruel…y. The Friars took care that he should have but a small fire, that his pain might be the more increased, yet he constantly and chearfully suffered Martyrdom.
God made the Ministry of this good man very powerful to many; amongst others there was one Peter Mioce, Peter Mioce.who had lived long in all manner of wickedness and licenciousness; but being, through Gods grace, converted,His conversion he excelled all the rest of the brethren in zeale and holinesse; at last he was apprehended, and being asked whether he was one of Peter Brulies disciples: he said that he was, and that he had received much benefit by his Doctrine: withall professing that his doctrine was consonant to the holy Scriptures; whereupon he was let down into a deep dungeon full of Toads and other vermine:Put into a dungeon amongst Toads. Afterwards he was brought forth before the Senate, who had provided some Friars to convert him: To whom he said, When I lived an ungodly life in all manner of vice and wickedness, you never said word to me; Note.but now for savouring and favouring the Word of God, you seek my blood. Then did they examine him about sundry Articles of Religion, to which whilst he was making a full answer, they cut him off, bidding him answer in two words, Yea, or No; Whereupon he said,Zeale. If you will not give me leave to answer fully to things of such importance, send me again to my dungeon amongst the Toads and Frogs, who will not interrupt me whilst I talk with my Lord my God: Shortly after he was condemned to be burned: and having a bag of powder hung about his neck, when the fire came to it, it gave a crack: whereupon the Friars told the People,Popish lies. that the Divel came out of him and carried away his soul to hell.
A godly Mininister martyrred.A tyrannous Prince in Germany apprehended a godly Minister, and for his constancy in the truth, put out both his eyes, and kept him a long time in prison, afflicting him with divers kinds of torments; Then did he cause him to be degraded, shaving the skin off his head, and rubbing it with salt till the blood ran down his shoulders, and paring off the ends of his fingers; so that four days after he patiently yielded up the Ghost.
Not long after there was a godly Minister in Antwerp, called Christopher Fabri, Christopher Fabri. A Traytor.that was betrayed by a woman, who pretended a great zeal to Religion, and was cast into prison, where he lay for a long time, and endured much misery: at last he was brought forth and condemned to be burnt alive. And when the Margrave brought him forth to execution, the people having first sung Psalmes, fell to casting of stones against the Executioner, so as the poor Prisoner being bound, and fire set to him, the Margrave durst stay no longer but ran away, and so did the executioner; but before he fled, by the command of the Margrave, The people drive away the Executioner.he took a hammer and beat out Fabrie's brains, and stabbed him into the back with a dagger, so that the people running to save him from the fire found him dead: after which by the command of the Margrave, His Martyrdom.he had a great stone tied about his neck, and was thrown into the river.
Anno 1549. One Nicholas and Barbara his wife, and one Austin and Marrian his wife, Germans by birth, went to Geneva, where they lived for a space;Two men and their wives. then returning through Germany they intended to go into England, but having passed through Dornick, they were discovered to the Lieutenant thereof, who speedily pursuing them, overtook them; yet at that time God delivered Austin out of their hands: but Nicholas and the two women were apprehended and carried back by the souldiers; Coming to an Inne by the way, at table Nicholas gave thanks: whereat the wicked Captain swearing grievously, said, Let us see, Blasphemy.thou lewd Heretick, if thy God can deliver thee out of my hand; Nicholas replyed, Hath Christ ever offended you that by your blasphemous swearing you thus tear him in pieces? Pray you if you have any thing against Christ, rather wreak your anger upon this poor body of mine, and let the Lord alone; Then did he bind them hands and feet,Zeal. and carried them to Burges, and cast them into the dungeon.
Divers Friers coming to them, Nicholas in disputing with them so confounded them,Vincit veritas. that they went away ashamed, saying, that he had a divel, crying, To the fire with the Lutherane. Afterwards the Magistrate sought to pump out of Nicholas what acquaintance he had in that City: but not prevailing with him, he went to his wife, and by flattering speeches and fair promises,Popish subtilty. he wrought so upon her weaknesse, that he gat out all that she knew, whereupon ensued a great persecution.
Shortly after Nicholas was condemned to be burned, at the hearing of which sentence,Courage. he blessed the Lord who had counted him worthy to be a witnesse in the cause of his dear and wel-beloved Son Jesus Christ; At the place of execution hew a commanded not to speak to the People, for if he did, he should have a woodden ball thrust into his mouth; yet as he was binding to the stake, forgetting the command, he cryed out, O Charles, Charles, Meaning the Emperour.how long shall thy heart be hardned? With that one of the Souldiers gave him a great blow: Then he said, Ah miserable People, who are not worthy that the Word should be preached to you; The Friars crying out that he had a Divel, he answered them in the words of David, Depart from me all ye wicked, for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping;N…te. and so commending his spirit into the hands of God, he ended his life in the midst of the flames.
Marrian was condemned to be buried quick; and when some earth was thrown upon her, the hangman stamped upon her with his feet till she died. Afterwards Austin that had before escaped, was apprehended, and being examined,Austins courage. though by nature he was a very timorous and weak man, yet did he stand to the defence of the truth valiantly, and answered his adversaries very boldly. Being condemned to be burnt, as he was going to execution, a Gentleman drank to him in a cup of wine, exhorting him to pity himself, at least not to destroy his soule: Austin thanked him, saying,Tentation. What care I have of my soule you may see by this, in that I had rather give my body to be burned, Zeal.then to sin against my conscience. Being tyed to the stake and fire set to him, he heartily prayed to the Lord, and so patiently departed.
Anno 1551. The Emperour Chales the fifth, having obtruded the Interim upon Germany, many godly Ministers were persecuted and driven from their places for opposing the same, as may be seen in my first part of Lives. The city of Magdenburg also for refusing it, had an army sent against it, which besieged it for a whole year together,Magdenburg besieged; whereby many of the godly Citizens lost their lives, and others endured great miseries. But at last, Gods providence so ordering of it, warre arose betwixt the Emperour and the King of France, whereupon peace was granted unto Magdenburg upon good terms,And delivered. and the inhabitants enjoyed their former Religion quietly.
Anno 1555. There was one Hostius born at Gaunt, Hostius.who for some time was a member of the French Church here in London in King Edwards days: but in the beginning of Queen Maries reign, he went vvith his family to Norden in Frizeland: and aftervvards having some businesse to Gaunt, he went thither, where he instructed many of his friends in the truth; and hearing that a Friar used to preach good doctrine, he went to hear him; but the Friar that day defended transubstantiation, which so grieved him,Zeal. that he could scarce refrain from speaking till the Sermon was ended. When the Friar was come down from the Pulpit, he charged him for preaching false doctrine, perswading the people by the Scripture, that the bread was but the Sacrament of the Lords body; but the people making a tumult, carried him out of the Church in a croud; and he had not gone far before he was apprehended by an Officer, and carried to prison; Then came divers Friars to reason with him; and he stood to the trial of the Scriptures only, which they refused. During his imprisonment he wrote a consolatory letter to his wife,His letter to his wife. exhorting her to bring up his children in the fear of God. Being condemned, he was commanded not to speak to the people; being bound to the stake,His Martyrdome. he prayed for his enemies, and was first strangled, and then burnt.
The same year there was at Dornick one Bertrand, who to enjoy the freedome of his conscience went to Wesell;Bertrand. but being desirous to draw his wife and children thither, he went thrice to Dornick to perswade her to go with him; yet could he by no means prevail with her; Then did he set his house in order, desiring her to pray that God would establish him in the work that he went about; and on Christmas day he went to the great Church at Dornick; and the Priest being at Masse, when he was about to elevate the Host,An heroical act. Bertrand took the cake out of his hand and trampled it under his feet, saying, that he did it to shew the glory of that god that they worshipped, or rather what little power he had; labouring to perswade them that the cake was not their Saviour; At first the people stood amazed, but presently they raised such a tumult that Bertrand hardly escaped with life.
The Governour hearing of it, was exceedingly enraged, and sent for Bertrand into the Castle, asking him whether he was sorry for his fact, and whether he would do it if it were to do again? Bertrand answered, That he would, and if he had a hundred lives to lose, he would lose them all in that quarrel;Courage. Then was he thrice put to the rack and tormented cruelly to draw from him who were his setters on;Cruelty. yet could they get nothing from him: Then was he condemned, and drawn from the Castle to the Market-place with a Ball of iron in his mouth: There he was set upon a stage, and had his right hand wherewith he did the fact,Barbarous cruelty. crushed between two hot irons with sharp edges, till the form of his hand was quite changed; Then did they bring other red hot irons for his right foot, which they used as they had done his hand, which he with marvellous patience and constancy underwent, putting out his foot of his own accord to them; Then taking the ball of Iron out of his mouth,Admirable patience. they cut out his tongue: notwithstanding which, he continually called and cryed unto God, which caused them to thrust in the ball of iron again; Then was he let down in an iron chaine upon the fire and pulled up again,A special Providence. and so they continued pulling up and letting him down till he was burnt to ashes, which ashes they threw into the river.
From Locrane in Helvetia the Ministers were banished, but were entertained by the Tigurines.
Zurich.Two other good men born in Dornick, went into divers reform…d Churches, where they increased much in knowledge and godlinesse, and at last resolved to return to Dornick, to do what good they could in their own Country; and it so fell out that on a day when many good people were gone to a wood to hear the Word of God preached to them by a Minister of Jesus Christ, their Adversaries having intelligence of it, followed them thither, and took about thirty of them, amongst whom were these two men, who fell to singing of Psalms,Thirty taken at a Sermon. supposing that they should be presently burned; but afterwards they were condemned to be beheaded; and so they comfortably ended their lives.
Also divers godly men and women suffered Martyrdome at Valence, amongst whom was James Faber, an old man, who,James Faber his excellent answer. when they argued with him about his religion, said, Though I cannot satisfie you by reasoning, yet I can constantly abide and suffer for the truth of the Gospel.
Also one Godfride, being condemned at Dornick for an Heretick;O… …urnay Godfride. Nay said he, Not an Heretick, but an unprofitable servant of Jesus Christ. When the Hangman would have strangled him to ease his pain in burning, he refused, saying,Courage. that he would abide the sentence of death which was passed upon him.
Besides these, there were both in the upper and lower Germany many others secretly made away; some drowned: some bured quick;A Minister poisoned. some murthered in prison, &c. A godly Minister was also poisoned by a Priest at Erford for preaching the truth of Christ; Besides many others.
In the city of Lile the Gospel was secretly preached for three years together, sometimes in houses, then in woods, fields,in Lile. and Caves of the earth, not without hazard of their dearest lives if they had been discovered; yet did not dangers cool the zeal of Gods people; but what was preached, was accordingly practised amongst them; works of mercy and charity were their exercise, not only towards those of the houshold of faith, but towards those which were without also;Christian charity. so as many by means hereof were drawn and brought to the knovvledge of Christ.
This so enraged Satan and his instruments, that Anno 1556, the time being come wherein God had given them power to try and exercise the faith of his people, they neglected not to shew their cruelty upon them: and for that end one night about ten of the clock, the Provost of the City with his armed Sergeants made search to see if they could find any met together; but, by Gods Providence, there was no meeting of Gods People at that time; then went they to the house of one Robert Oguire, Robert Oguire and his … carried to prison.which was a little Church; for all in it, both small and great, were familiarly instructed in the knowledge and fear of God.
Being violently entred into the house, seeking up and down for their prey, they found certain books which they took away with them: but Baudizon the son of Robert, whom they principally sought after, was not then at home,Baudizon. being gone abroad to confer of the word with some of the brethren. Before the Provost was departed, Baudizon came home, and knocked at the door. Martin his younger brother, who watched for his coming, bade him presently to be gone: but he thinking that he had mistaken him for some other, continued knocking, saying, It is, I open the door. Then came the Sergeants and opened the door, and laying hold on him, said, Ah Sir, you are well met, and with that the Provost arrested him in the Emperours name, withall causing the Father, Mother, and two sons to be bound, and so carried them away towards the prison; As they went through the streets, Baudizon said aloud: Oh Lord, assist us by thy grace, not only to be prisoners for thy names sake, but to confess thy holy truth in all purity before men, so far as to seal the same with our blood, for the edification of thy poor Church; they were all cast into several prisons, yet remained chearfull, praising God for accounting them worthy to suffer for his truth;Joy in tribulation. and after a few dayes they were all brought forth before the Magistrates, who speaking to Robert Oguire said;They are examined. We hear that you never come to Masse; That you disswade others from it; That you keep Conventicles in your house, where erroneous doctrine is preached, &c. Robert answered, I indeed refuse to go to Mass, because the death and precious blood of Christ is utterly abolished there, and troden under foot, &c. And I cannot deny but there have met together in my house honest people, fearing God; Not with intention to harm any, I assure you, but for the advancement of Gods glory, and the good of many, &c. Then one demanded what they did when they met together; To which Baudizon ansvvered, When vve meet together in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to hear the Word of God,An holy practice. vve first, falling on our knees before God, in the humility of our spirits, do make confession of our sins before his Divine Majesty: then we pray that the Word of God may be rightly divided, and purely preached; then we pray for our Soveraign Lord the Emperour, that the Commonwealth may be peaceably governed to the glory of God; yea we forget not you whom we acknowledge our Superiours, intreating our good God that you may maintain this City in tranquillity, &c. Thus you hear what we do in our Assemblies: and if you will not be offended to hear the summe of our prayers, I am ready to recite the same unto you. One of the Magistrates wished him to go on, whereupon kneeling down,Fervent prayer he prayed before them all with such fervency of affection, and ardency of zeal, that it forced the Magistrates to break forth into tears; Baudizon rising up, said, Your Masterships may hereby take a scantling how we are imployed in our meetings.
Being further examined, every one of them made an open Confession of his faith, and so were returned to prison again; And not long after they were tortured upon the Rack to make them confesse who they were that met at their house:They are tortured. but they would discover none but such as they knew were at that time out of their reach.
Four or five dayes after, the men were again convented before the Magistrates, who asked them if they would submit themselves to the will of the Magistrates: Robert and Baudizon said they would; but Martin the younger sonne said, he would not submit thereto, but would accompany his Mother,Robert and Baudizon condemned. and so he was sent back to prison; and the Father with his eldest son were presently adjudged to be burnt alive. Sentence being pronounced, one of the Judges said, This day shall you go to dwell with all the Divels in hell fire; Then were they returned to prison, praising God, and by their patience and constancy, conquerred the rage and fury of their enemies; In prison there came some Friars to them,Popish malice telling them that the hour was come wherein they must finish their dayes: They answered; Blessed be the Lord our God, who now delivering our bodies out of this vile prison, will receive our souls into his glorious and heavenly Kingdom. Then said one of the Friars, Father Robert, thou art an old man, I intreat thee in this thy last hour think of saving thy soule; and if thou wilt give ear to me, Ile warrant thee thou shalt do well; Robert answered, Poor man, how darest thou assume that to thy self which belongs to God alone, and so rob him of his honour? &c. Another wishing him to pity his soul, he said, Dost thou not see what pity I have on it, when for the name of Christ I am willing to give my body to the fire, hoping to day to be with him in Paradise, &c. Note.Then said a Friar, Out Dog, thou art not worthy the name of a Christian: thou and thy sonne are resolved to damne your soules with all the Divels in hell.
Then would they have severed the Father from his son, which Baudizon perceiving, said, Pray you let my Father alone, he is an old man, hinder him not from receiving the Crown of Martyrdome. Another Friar said, Away Varlet, thou art the cause of thy Fathers perdition. Whilst Baudizon was stripping and fitting himself to be sacrificed, some of the Friars had fastned a Crucifix in the old mans hands, perswading him that it would please the People, and that for all that, he might lift up his heart to God, &c. But so soon as Baudizon saw it, he said, Alasse Father, what do you now? will you play the Idolater at your last hour? and so pulling the Idol out of his hand,Zeal. he threw it away.
At the place of execution they were set upon a Scaffold, and Baudizon desired leave to make a Confession of his faith: answer was made, that he might confess himself to a Friar if he would, which he refusing, was readily haled to the stake, where he began to sing the 16. Psalm; then said a Friar, Do you not hear what wicked errors these Hereticks sing, to beguile the people withall? Baudizon hearing him, replyed:Blasphemy. Thou simple Idiot, callest thou the Psalms of David errours? but no marvel, for thus are ye wont to blaspheme against the Spirit of God. Then seeing them about to chain his Father to the stake, he said to him, Be of good courage Father, the worst will be past by and by. Then did he often breath forth: Oh God, Father everlasting, accept the sacrifice of our bodies for thy well-beloved Son Jesus Christ his sake. A Friar cryed,Faith and courage. Out Heretick thou liest; God is none of thy Father; the Divel is thy Father. Baudizon fixing his eys upon heaven, said to his Father, Behold, I see the heavens open, and millions of Angels ready to receive us, and rejoycing to see us thus bearing witness to the truth in the view of the world. Father, let us rejoyce and be glad, for the joys of heaven are opened to us. Then said a Friar, I see Hell open, and millions of Divels are ready to carry you thither. A poor man in the croud cryed out, Be of good comfort Baudizon, stand to it, thou fightest in a good quarrel, I am on thy side; which words so soon as he had spoken, he departed, and so hastened himself from danger.
The fire being kindled, Baudizon oft said to his Father, Yet a very little while and we shall enter into the heavenly mansions; the fire encreasing, the last words which they spake, were, Jesus Christ thou Sonne of God, into thy hands we commend our spirits, and so they sweetly slept in the Lord.Their Martyrdome.
After the death of these worthy champions of Christ, many of the Popish rabble were sent,Martin and his Mother. if possible, to seduce the Mother and son remaining in prison; and coming to them, the first subtilty they used was to separate them asunder;Popish subtilty. then they set upon the woman as the weaker vessel, and so wrought upon her that she began to waver and let go her first faith; this the adversaries much rejoyced in; and the poor flock of Christ in that place hearing of it,Humane frailty. were as much afflicted with the news; but God left them not in this mournful condition long: For a Monk one day going to her, perswaded her to draw her sonne Martin to the same recantation with her self, which she promised to do; but when they came together, Martin perceiving the grievous Apostacy of his Mother, bewailed it with many tears, saying to her, Oh Mother, what have you done? have you denied him that redeemed you? Alas what injury hath he done you that you should requite him with so great an injury and dishonour? Now am I plunged into that woe which I most feared; Ah good God that I should live to see this, which pierceth me to the very heart? His mother hearing his pittiful complaints, and seeing him drowned in tears for her sake, began again to renew her strength in the Lord, and with tears cryed out, Oh Father of mercies, be merciful to me miserable sinner, Recovery.and cover my transgression under the righteousnesse of thy blessed Son: Lord enable me with strength from above to stand to my first confession, and make me to abide stedfast therein even to my last breath. Presently in came the seducers, hoping to finde her in the same minde that they left her; but she no sooner saw them, but cryed, Avoid Satan, get thee behind me, for henceforth thou hast nether part nor portion in me; I will by the help of God stand to my first Confession, and if I may not sign it with ink, I will seal it with my blood: and so after this time, through Gods gracious assistance, she grew stronger and stronger; Then were they both condemned to be burnt alive, and their ashes to be sprinkled in the aire. When the sentence was passed, as they returned to prison, they said; Now blessed be God who causeth us thus to triumph over our enemies. This is the wished hour, our gladsome day is come; Joy in tribulation.let us not therefore forget to be thankfull for that honour that God doth us in thus conforming us to the image of his Sonne. Let us remember those that have troden this path before us; for this is the high-way to the Kingdom of heaven, &c. Hereupon some of the Friars, being ready to burst for anger, said unto Martin that was most valiant, We see now Heretick that thou art wholly possest body and soul with a Divel, as were thy father and brother, who are now in hell. Martin answered, As for your railings and cursings, God will this day turn them into blessings in the sight of himself and all his holy Angels.Faith and patience.
When they came into prison, there came to them two persons of great quality, of whom one of them said to Martin, Young man,Tentation. I have compassion on thee; if thou wilt be ruled by me, and return to the Church of Rome, thou shalt not only be freed from this shameful death, but I will also give thee an hundred pounds; Martin presently replyed, Sir, you present before me many temporal commodities: But alas! Resisted.do you think me so simple, as to forsake an eternal Kingdome for the enjoyment of a short temporal life? No Sir, its now too late to speak to me of worldly commodities; I will hearken to no other speech but of those spiritual commodities which I shall enjoy this day in Gods Kingdome, &c. Soon after Martin and his mother were carried to the place of their Martyrdome, and being bound to the stake, the woman said: We are Christians, and that which we now suffer, is not for murther nor theft, but because we will believe no more than the Word of God teacheth us.
The fire being kindled, the heat of it did nothing abate the fervency of their seal, but they continued crying,Their Martyrdome. Lord Jesus into thy hands we commend our spirits, and so they blessedly slept in the Lord.
A Friar at Gaunt called Charles Coninck, being through Gods mercy converted to the truth, left his Friars weed,Charles Coninck and joyned himself to the brethren; for which he was apprehended; and remaining constant, was condemned: then came a special friend perswading him to recant, and he would procure him a Cannonship: To whom Charles answered, Sir, Tentation resisted.I thank you for your good will and kind offer, but I cannot accept them without offending God; and that rest is no true rest and quietnesse, which is obtained against the peace of a good conscience: Shortly after his death, one of his adversaries which had the greatest hand in procuring of it;…ods judgement on a Persecutor. fell into grievous terrour and horrour of conscience, whereof within a few dayes he died.
The Persecution of the Duke de Alva in the Netherlands.
WHen the light of the Gospel was much spread abroad in the Netherlands: King Philip of Spaine sent the Duke de Alva with a great Army to root out the Professors of it, who exercised unparalell'd cruelty against all sorts of persons, both of the Nobility and Commons,Barbarous cruelty. permitting his souldiers to ravish honest Matrons and Virgins, many times causing their husbands and Parents to stand by and behold it.
This Duke on a time boasted at his own table that he had been diligent to root out heresie: for that beside those which he had slain in war, in the space of six years he had put into the hands of the common hangman above eighteen thousand persons.
His sonne also Don Frederick being sent by him to Zutphen, was rereceived by the Bourgers without any opposition, yet was he no sooner entred,Don Fredericks cruelty to Zutphen. but he fell to murther, hang and drown a number of the inhabitants, with infinite cruelties shewed upon wives and virgins; yea, not sparing the very infants. From thence marching to Naerden in Holland, the inhabitants made an agreement with him,At Naerden. and he entred the town peaceably; but never did Turks or Scythians, or the most barbarous and inhumane Nations in the world, commit more abominable cruelties than Don Frederick did in this town; for when the Bourgers had given the best entertainment that they could to him and his souldiers, he caused it to be proclaimed, that they should all assemble themselves together in the Chappel of the Hospital, where they should be made acquainted with such Laws, according to which they should hereafter govern themselves; but when these poor people were thus assembled, he commanded his souldiers to murther them all,Treachery. without sparing any one; the men were massacred, the women were first ravished, and then murthered most cruelly, the children and infants had their throats cut, and in some houses they tied the inhabitants to posts, and then set fire on the houses, and burnt them alive; so that in the whole town, neither man, wife, maid, nor child, old nor young were spared; and then the town was wholly razed to the ground without pity or mercy.
After this Don Frederick besieged Harlem, which held out against him for a long time, but at last, their Provision being spent, they made bread of Linseed of Turnups,The siege of Harlem. and lived upon the flesh of horses, dogs, cats,A Famine. and such like: and this also in the end failing them, they were enforced to surrender the town upon composition, by which they were to pay two hundred and fourty thousand florins to redeem themselves and town from spoil.The town surrendred.
Don Frederick having thus got the town into his hands, commanded that at the tolling of the great bell, all the Bourgers and Souldiers should bring their armes into the state-house, that the townsmen should go into the Cloister of Zyel, Popish perfidiousnesse.the women into the Cathedral Church, and the souldiers into another Church, this done, all the Ensigne-bearers were singled out and imprisoned, and whilst the poor Bourgers were guarded in the Church, the perfidious Spaniards plundered their houses; The next day this bloody Don Frederick caused three hundred Walloons to be hanged and headed: the next day Captain Riperda and his Lieutenant were beheaded,A Minister hanged. and a godly Minister called Stembach, was hanged, and two hundred fourty seven souldiers were drowned in the sea of Harlem; the next day a great number were executed, and the day following three hundred more Souldiers and Bourgers lost their heads,Another beheaded. and with them a godly Minister called Simon Simonson: presently after three of the principal men lost their heads, and shortly after all the English and Scots were beheaded, and to fill up this sea of blood,Barbarous cruelties. all the wounded and sick were beheaded before the Hospital door.
In the mean time a Party of souldiers that lay without in a sconce, were all starved to death.
Not long before, the strong town of Valenciennes in Henault, having set up the free exercise of the reformed Religion amongst them,Valenciennes besieged. were presently besieged by an army under the Signior of Noircarmes; the siege lasted about three months, and the Citizens having no hope of relief, at last treated and surrendred the City upon good conditions; but Noircarmes being entred,Popish perfidiousnesse and cruelty. he kept the City gates shut for divers dayes, and most perfidiously and barbarously hanged up all the French souldiers, with all the Ministers and Protestant Merchants, and confiscated their goods. But besides these generals, let us also view some particulars.
Anno 1560. There was in Flanders one John Herwin, John Herwin.a souldier of a very dissolute life: but God having a purpose to shew him mercy, put it into his heart to go into England, and accordingly he came to London in the beginning of Queen Elizabeths reigne, and by Gods good Providence was entertained in a Brewers family,A special Providence. where both master and servants feared God: His Master caused him often to go to the Dutch Church, where, by the Ministry of the Word he first began to tast,His conversion and afterwards more and more to increase in the saving knowledge of Christ. After a while he returned back into Flanders, and at Furne he was presently laid wait for by the Popish Bailiffe; This occasioned his removal to Honscot; and yet there also the Bailiffe being informed of him, went in the night with his Sergeants, and apprehended him; By the way they met some drunkards in the streets; whereupon the Bailiffe said, We have, as they say, many Gospellers in this town, but it little appears by these disorders. Herwin hearing him, said, Is drunkennesse a sin Master Bailiffe? The Bailiffe answered, what of that? Herwin replyed, Why then do you not commit these men to prison, Herwin imprisoned.seeing it is your office to punish vice, and to protect them that fear God? To this the Bailiffe answered not.
In the prison Herwin behaved himself so vertuously, that every one admired him. Being somewhat long before he was called before the Magistrate, he was much troubled at it, his heart being inflamed with an holy zeal to confesse Jesus Christ before his Judges.Zeale. Yet many of the brethren were very fearful of him, considering what his former life had been, and what a novice he as yet was in the Profession of the Gospel.
At last he had his hearts desire, being brought before the Sheriffe; there a Priest was provided to dispute with him, to whose questions Herwin answered with such soundnesse of judgement and modesty, that it easily appeared that he had profited well in Christs school. Being asked of Christs real presence in the Sacrament, he answered, That the highest dwelleth not in Temples made with hands, &c. Whereupon he admonished his Judges to examine the doctrine of the Church of Rome by the true touchstone of Gods Word, whereby they might easily see how contrary it is to the Scriptures, &c. And having made a free Profession of his faith, he craved Justice one way or other;Courage. but they still urged him to recant, to which he answered,Constancy. My faith is not built upon mans opinion, but the Lord hath taught me to eschew evil, and to do good ▪ Then was he returned to prison again.
During his imprisonment he was dangerously assaulted by some subtile and cunning Friars, who alledged the sayings of diverse of the Fathers, to prove their transubstantiation; but he, through Gods mercy, holding close to the Word of Christ, overcame them. In prison he used to recreate himself by singing of Psalms, Vincit veritas.and the people used to flock together to the prison door to hear him; This so angred the Popish Clergy, that they sought to hinder him from singing, and for this end they caused two desperate Malefactors to be put into the same room with him;Popish malice▪ and subtilty. but within a few dayes, these Villains brake prison and escaped, leaving opportunity to Herwin to escape also; but he, fearing that his flight might be prejudicial to other godly persons in the City, upon whom it would be charged,Flight refused. resolved rather to remain there, than to flie: Presently after news was brought him that sentence of death was passed upon him, whereupon he thanked God for advancing him to so high an honour as to be accounted worthy to suffer for his name: Testifying the inward joy which he felt in his soul by a letter that he wrote to the brethren,Thanks for sufferings. wherein he exhorted them to constancy and perseverance in the doctrine of the truth which they had received from God: Within a few dayes after he was carried forth to hear his sentence, at which time the Magistrate by earnest intreaties and large promises sought to bring him to a recantation,Tentation resisted. and to worship their breaden God, promising that thereupon he should be presently released: but Herwin refusing their offer of life upon those termes, was bound and carried into a Chappel where they celebrated the Masse; at which time, to shew his detestation of their idolatry, he turned his back, winked with his eyes, and stopped his eares. At the elevation of the Host one asked him if Jesus Christ was not now between the Priests hands?Zeale. To which he answered, No, he is in heaven at the right hand of his Father: Then was the sentence of death read against him.
As he was going to execution, he said to the people, See here how this wicked world rewards the poor servants of Jesus Christ: whilst I was a drunkard, a player at Cards and Dice, living in all dissolutenesse and ungodly behaviour, Whence persecution ariseth.I was never in danger of these bonds; yea, I was then counted a good fellow, and at that time, Who but I? But no sooner began I, through Gods grace, to seek after a godly life, but presently the world made war upon me, and became mine enemy, &c. yet this discourageth me not; for the servant is not better than his Lord; seeing they persecuted him, no question but they will persecute us. At the place of execution, one gave him his hand, and comforted him: then began he to sing the 30. Psalm, whereupon a Friar interrupted him, saying, Oh John turn, there is yet time and space; the Martyr disregarding his words, turned his back upon him; and some of the company said to the Friar, Turn thou, thou hypocrite; and so Herwin quietly finished his Psalm; many joyning with him in singing of it; then said the Friar, Be not offended good people to hear this Heretick to sing of God; The people answered, Hold thy peace thou Balaamite, here is no body offended. There were present at least four hundred that encouraged the Martyr to continue to the end, as he had well begun; To whom he answered Brethren, I fight under the Standard, and in the quarrel of my great Lord and Captain Jesus Christ. Then he prayed,His Martyrdome. and so went into his Cabin made with fagots, saying to the people, I am now going to be sacrificed; Follow you me when God of his goodnesse shall call you to it: and so he was first strangled, and then burnt to ashes.
Anno 1561. There was apprehended in Antwerp one John de Boscane, John de Boscane▪who for his constancy in Religion was condemned to death: But the Magistrate fearing an uproare if he should put him to death publickly, knowing that he was a man free of speech, and beloved of the people, he resolved for this cause secretly to drown him in the prison; and for this end a tub with water was provided, and an Executioner sent to drown him; but the water was so shallow, and the Martyr so tall, that he could not possibly be drowned therein;His cruel Martyrdome. whereupon the Executioner gave him many wounds and stabs with a dagger, and so this holy Martyr ended his life.
About the same time another servant of Jesus Christ, having made a bold Profession of his faith, was in the same City sentenced to death;John de Buisons beheaded in prison. and because they du…st not execute him publickly, they privately sent and beheaded him in prison; his name was John de Buisons.
The godly in this City of Antwerp, being desirous to take all opportunities to meet together in the fear of God, on a day when the Popish party was met to behold great triumphs,The Church of Antwerp persecu…ed. they withdrew themselves out of the City, and went into a Wood, where their Minister preached the Word of God to them; The Drosart of Marksem being advertised hereof, took his officers and went thitherward▪ by the way he met with some poor boyes that were cowherds; to whom he promised new cloaths if if they would bring him to the place in the Wood where their assembly was; which they undertaking, he sent some of his officers along with them into the Wood, who coming to the place like wolves, the sheep of Christ began to flie: the Minister seeing their fear, admonished them not to stir; The Persecutors were not above five or six, and the persecuted four or five hundred, so that they might easily have resisted them, but they would not. The officers chiefly aimed to apprehend the Minister, and having caught one of the Assembly, they thought him to be the man, crying one to another, Hold the Priest fast, striking him with their Pistols and staves, and so carried him to the Drosart; they caught also two or three more, which afterwards made an escape: the man only that remained with the Drosart whose name was Bartholomew, was often set upon to be turned aside from his holy Profession; Why, say they,Bartholomews constancy. cannot such a young man as thou art content thy self with our Religion and glorious Church, adorned with gold, silver, precious stones, in which there is such melodious musick, The Church of Rome a glorious strumpet.both of voices and instruments, but thou must needs joyn thy self to that Church that is hated, despised, and exposed to all manner of contempt? Bartholomew overcame all these tentations by the power of the Almighty, saying, That which is greatly esteemed amongst men, is altogether abominable in the sight of God; Then was he condemned and beheaded; by which death he glorified God.
Anno 1568. There were apprehended in Antwerp, one Scoblant, John de Hues, Scoblant, John Hues, Joris Coomans.and Joris Coomans, who being cast into prison were very oyful, confessing that nothing befell them but by Gods divine Providence, as they acknowledge in a letter which they wrote to the brethren, wherein they thus write, Seeing it is the will of God that we should suffer for his name, and in the quarrel of his Gospel, we certifie you, dear brethren, Joy in tribulation.that we are joyful; and however the flesh continually rebels against the spirit, counselling ever and anon according to the advice of the old Serpent: yet we are well assured that Christ, who hath bruised, will still bruise the Serpents head, and not leave us comfortlesse; we are indeed sometimes pricked in the heele, yet we are not discouraged, but keep our faith close to the promises of God, Faith▪&c. Be not therefore dismayed for our bands and imprisonment; for it is the good Will of God towards us, and therefore we pray that he will give us grace to persevere constantly unto the end.
Shortly after Scoblant was brought to his trial, where he made a good confession of his faith, and so was condemned. Returning to prison, he earnestly requested the Jailor that he would not suffer the Friars to come and trouble him; for, said he, they can do me no good, seeing the Lord hath already sealed up the assurance of my salvation in my heart, by his holy Spirit.His excellent speech. I am now going to my Spouse, and putting off this earthly mantle, to enter into his celestial glory, where I shall be freed from all superstitions. Would to God that I might be the last that these tyrants should put to death, and that their thirst might be so quenched with my blood, that the poor Church of Christ might henceforth enjoy rest and quiet.
When he was to go forth to execution, he sung the fourtieth Psalme with his fellow prisoners,Scoblants Martyrdome. then said the Lords Prayer, and so kissing each other, they commended one another unto God with many teares. Being tied to the stake, he was burned alive, calling upon the name of the Lord.
John Hues died in prison, whereupon Joris wrote thus to his friends; Brethren,John Hues died in prison. I am now left alone, whereas we were three in number. John Hues is now dead in the Lord; and yet I am not altogether alone, seeing the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is with me; he is my exceeding great reward, and will not fail to reward me so soon as I shall have laid down this earthly tabernacle. Pray unto God that he will strengthen me to the end; for every hour I expect the dissolution of this house of clay.
When he was brought forth before the Judges, and examined of his faith, he answered freely, and proved what he said by the holy Scriptures; and being asked whether he was resolved to die for the faith which he professed? he answered, I will not only venture to give my body, but my soul also for the confirmation of it;Courage. Joris his Martyrdome. and so being condemned, he was shortly after burned, dying with much comfort.
The persecution growing hot in Flanders, one Giles Annik, and John his sonne removed to Emden;Giles, and John Annik. but by reason of their sudden departure they could not take their wives with them; whereupon in the year 1568. they returned back to fetch their wives, who were at Renay; yet in regard of the danger, they durst not go into the town openly, but took up their lodging in the evening, at an honest mans house called Lewis Meulin.
Now it so fell out that that very night the enemies had appointed to make a secret search after such as professed the Gospel,A special Providence. and so passing by this house, and seeing the light of a candle in it, expecting their prey, they forced open the door, and took these two, together with their Host prisoners, God having appointed them to bear witnesse to his truth: After they had been in prison awhile, they were all three condemned for Hereticks; and presently after Giles, the father, was burned. John, the son, being fetched to execution,Their Martyrdome. when he saw the man that first apprehended him, he called him to him, saying, I forgive thee my death, and so he, with Lewis Meulin, were both beheaded.Lewis Meulin.
About the same time there was also a godly widow apprehended and cast into prison, her crime was,A widow for that about two years before she had suffered a Minister to preach in an out-house on the backside of her dwelling. She was very charitable in relieving the poor, and every way shewed forth the fruits of a true saving faith:Charity. After seven moneths imprisonment she was condemned to die, and a Priest coming to her, to hear Confession, she spake to him with such a divine grace, and with a spirit so replenished with zeal, that he went from her with teares trickling down his cheeks, saying, I came to comfort you, but I have more need to be comforted of you: when she was carried forth to execution,Her Martyrdome. she went with much boldnesse and joy of heart, and having her head cut off, she sweetly slept in the Lord.
There was also one Christopher Gauderin, that at first was brought up under the Abbat of Hename; but the Abbat dying,Christopher Gauderin. he betook himself to the weaving of linnen, and quickly grew expert in his trade; But having been trained up in a bad schoole, when the Sabbath came, he spent riotously what he had gotten all the week by his labour: Now, through Gods mercy, it so fell out that a godly man working with him, would often tell him of the danger of his present condition, exhorting him rather to distribute his gettings to the poor, assuring him that if he spent his money so wastfully, God would call him to an account for it: These with the like exhortations so wrought upon him through the grace of God, that he began to change his course,His Conversion. and in stead of frequenting Taverns, he became a diligent hearer of Sermons, and gave himself much to reading of the holy Scriptures; so that not long after he was called by the Church to the office of a Deacon, which he discharged carefully and faithfully.
Shortly after having occasion to go to a place called Audenard, to distribute some almes to the poor there, he was apprehended; and the Bailiffe that had formerly seene him in the Abbats house, asked him how he came to turn Heretick? Nay, said he, I am no Heretick, but a right believing Christian, His imprison…ent.and what I learned of him I am now ashamed to remember.
In prison he had many disputes about his faith, which he so maintained and defended by the Word of God,Vincit veritas. that he silenced all his adversaries. Some told him that he would cast away himsef in his youth, being but thirty years old, to whom he answered, That mans life consisted but of two dayes, viz. The day of his birth, and the day of his death, and therefore he must needs die once, And for my part, said he, I am now willing by death to passe into eternal life.Mans life but two days.
When news was brought him in the evening that he must die the next day, he retired himself, and poured out his soul in prayer unto God till ten a clock; and after his rest, the like he did the next morning:Prayer. Having ended his Prayer, he put on a clean shirt and washed himself; saying to his fellow-prisoners, Brethren, I am now going to be married, I hope ere noon to drink of the wine of the Kingdome of heaven; When he came down he found three other prisoners that were to suffer with him. These four exhorted and encouraged one another to suffer patiently and constantly; Then came a Friar, saying, that he came to convert them,His Zeale. To whom Christopher said, Away from us thou seducer of souls, for we have nothing to do with thee; The Hangman coming to put gagges into their mouths; one of them said, What? shall we not have liberty at this our last hour to praise God with our tongues? Christopher answered, Let not this discourage us, the more wrong our enemies do to us,His faith. the more assistance we shall finde from God; and so ceased not to comfort them till himself was gagged also; Their sentence was that they should be hanged for hearing Sermons: and so with admirable constancy they yielded up their souls to God; One of them being a woman was condemned to be beheaded,Martyrdome. because she had sung Psalms, and exhorted her neighbours out of the Word of God, at a womans upsitting: Her body was grown very feeble, so that she was caused to sit on a stool,Admirable constancy. where she received three blows with a sword overthwart her teeth: yet did she constantly sit still till she received the Crown of Martyrdom, Anno 1568.
About the same time there was in a town a mile distant from Gand, a Minister whom it pleased the Lord to illuminate with the saving knowledge of his Gospel,Giles de Meyer whereupon he became a diligent and faithful Preacher of it, both in his life and doctrine; yea, he went from house to house exhorting and comforting every one as he had occasion out of the Word of God; and above all, labouring with them to beware of the abominable superstitions of the Papacy. The Popish Clergy of Gand having intelligence hereof, fearing lest by this means, their doctrine and authority would come into contempt, caused him to be apprehended and cast into a deep and dark hole, where he remained bearing his affliction patiently,His imprisonment. and calling upon God night and day, praising him for accounting him worthy to suffer for his names sake. Whilst he lay there, many good people came to visit him, receiving such instructions and consolation from him, that they could not be drawn to leave him till necessity enforced, neither then could they depart without abundance of tears.
The Priests and Friars sought by all means to draw him to a recantation, but to no purpose,His constancy. for he still kept himself close to the Word of God, which so vexed them, that at last they procured his condemnation to be hanged. The Spanish souldiers which carried him to execution, would needs have him burned, binding and straining him exceedingly with cords, and in the way abused him shamefully with mocks and scoffs, thrusting him forwards and striking him; the Captain also gave him a blow on the face with his Gantlet,Popish malice and cruelty. which much disfigured him; yea they used him worse then a dog, being the more enraged against him, because of his patient and meek carriage; At last they thrust him into a little Cabin piled with Fagots, and so burnt him,His Martyrdome. continually calling upon God till he resigned up his Spirit to him.
Anno 1568. There was a Goldsmith dwelling in Breda, who had long been a Deacon of the Church in that place, his name was Peter Coulogue: in his house the Church often met for the service of God;Peter Coulogue and Betkin his maid. the Popish adversaries being much enraged hereby, cast him into prison, which the faithful much grieved at, and endeavoured to visit and comfort him: This the enemies taking notice of removed him into the Castle; during his abode there, though all others were excluded from him, yet his Maid-servant brought him his food daily, never ceasing to confirm and comfort him out of the Word of God, as well as she was able, for which at length they imprisoned her also: This she was right glad of, thinking her self happy to suffer for righteousness sake.
Not long after Peter was put to the torment, which he endured patiently; then did they fetch Betkin also to it, whereupon she said, My Masters, wherefore will you put me to this torture, Their torments.seeing I have no way offended you? if it be for my faiths sake, you need not torment me, fos as I was never ashamed to make a confession thereof, no more will I now be at this present before you, but will, if you please, freely shew you my mind therein; Yet for all this they would have her to the Rack, whereupon she again said, If I must needs suffer this pain, Prayer.I pray you give me leave to call upon my God first: This they consented to: and whilst she was fervently pouring out her prayers unto God, one of the Commissioners was surprised with such a fear and terrour, that he fell into a swoon, and could not be recovered again, by which means the poor maid escaped Racking.
Shortly after,Gods judgement on a Persecutor. these two innocent persons were condemned to be burned, and as they were led to execution, there was much lamentation amongst the people. Peter and Betkin prayed earnestly unto God to strengthen them, and perfect the good work that he had begun in them, and to assist them till they had finished their course.
The courage and constancy of the maid did so work upon many of the people, godly men and women, that not considering the danger, they brake through the multitude, embracing the Prisoners, and praising God for their constancy, saying to them, Fight manfully, for the Crown is prepared for you: At the place of execution Betkin with a chearful and amiable countenance spake thus to the people: Dear brethren and sisters, be alwayes obedient to the Word of God, and fear not them that can kill the body, but have no power over the soul: as for me, I am now going to meet my glorious Spouse the Lord Jesus Christ; Then falling upon their knees they prayed to the Lord with great devotion; And the executioner fastening them to the stake, strangled Peter, Betkin encouraging him till he yielded up the Ghost,Their Martyrdome. and till the fire had taken hold of her self; and in the flames she was heard to magnifie the Lord, till she yielded up her spirit into his hands.
About this time multitudes of persons were murthered in Flanders by the bloody Inquisition, whose dead bodies were cast out to be gazed upon in every place;A great persecution. and multitudes of believers, both men and women were cast into prisons, where they languished till many of them died. In the City of Valence there were executed fifty seven persons, most of them Burgesses, only because they clave to the true faith of Jesus Christ.
The Martyrdom of William of Nassaw, Prince of Orange.
THe Estates of the United Provinces, having declared the King of Spaine to be fallen from the Government of of those Countries, they chose William of Nassaw, Prince of Orange, to be their Captain General,The Prince proscribed. whereupon he was proscribed by the King of Spain, and a great summe of mony promised to him that should slay him; Not long after a desperate villain called Joanville was suborned to do the feat; for which end he was directed to charge his Pistol with two bullets,Joanville suborned to kill him. and to shoot him behind in the head; the day appointed for this execution was March 18. 1582. upon which day the Prince was to be at a great feast at the Duke of Anjous Court; but the presse being great there, Joanville chose rather to do it at the Prince of Oranges own house as he was at dinner; the Villain being thus desperately resolved, a Jacobin Friar came to confess him, fortifying him in his resolution with many sweet words, perswading him that he should go invisible, for which end he gave him some characters in paper, and little Frogs bones,Popish subtilty. and other conjurations.
Being thus assured, he drunk a cup or two of Malmsey, and so accomxanied with his Ghostly father, he went to the Princes Court; at the stair-foot the Friar gave him his blessing, encouraged him, and so left him; The Prince of Orange was set at dinner, with the Earles of Laval, Hohenlo, and many other Noblemen; Joanville came into the dining-room, attired like a Frenchman, so that he was taken for a servant to some of those French Noblemen; He thrust forward twice or thrice to come behind the Prince to shoot him in the head, as he was directed, but was still repulsed by the Princes Gentlemen that stood about him; Dinner being done, the Prince was going to his retiring chamber, whereupon this Villain gat before a window in the Hall, close by the door of that room into which the Prince was to go; As the Prince passed towards it, he was shewing the Earle of Laval the cruelties that the Spaniards had exercised in the Low-Countries, which were wrought in the hangings; and having his face turned, this murtherer discharged his Pistol at him; but the Prince,A special Providence. as God would have it, turning at the same instant, the bullet entred in at his throat under the right chap, being so near that the fire entred with the bullet into the wound, burning his Ruffe and Beard; it brake out one of his teeth, pierced the jugular vein, but hurt not his toungue, and so came out at his left cheek hard by his nose; the blow being given, one with an Halberd could not contain himself, but thrust the Villain through, and slew him.
The Chirurgions being sent for, found that the fire which entred the wound, had cauterized the jugular vein, and had done him much good, so that the wound was not mortal. The Friar was afterwards apprehended and executed.
Anno 1584. The Spaniards thinking they had no greater enemy in the world than the Prince of Orange, and that if he were dead they should quickly attain their desires in the Netherlands; they suborned one Baltazar Gerard, an high Burguignon, to murther him,Beltazar Gerard suborned to kill him. who bought a good paire of Pistols, and on the tenth of July watched when the Prince should go down into the Hall to dinner at Delpht in Holland, and as he passed by, he demanded a Pasport of him; the Princesse observing that he spake with an hollow and unsetled voice, she asked her husband who he was? saying that she did not like his countenance; the Prince answered that he demanded a Pasport, which he should presently have: After dinner the Prince going out of the Hall, the murtherer stood behind a Pillar in the Gallery, and as the Prince passed by, suddenly shot him from the left side to the right, through the stomack and the vital parts, who said no more, but O my God, take pity of my soul, I am sore wounded; my God, take pity of my soul and of this poor people;The Prince his death. and presently after he gave up the Ghost.
Collected out of Sleidens Commentaries, and the History of the Netherlands, &c.